Roberts Introduces Bill to Enhance Commercial Vehicle Safety, Reduce Closures On I-70 And Highways Across Colorado

SB24-100 would ensure all commercial vehicles carry chains, provide enhanced left lane prohibitions during winter months and more speed limit enforcement in Glenwood Canyon

DENVER CO – Bipartisan legislation to enhance the safety of commercial vehicles on Colorado’s highways during the winter months was introduced in the Colorado State Senate today. SB24-100, sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Perry Will, R-New Castle, and Representatives Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, and Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, comes after continued chain violations, commercial vehicle accidents, and unnecessary highway closures continue to plague travelers in Colorado and damage our economy. 

Every winter, I-70 drivers face regular closures and delays, many of which are caused by commercial vehicle crashes. Commercial drivers, many of whom come from out-of-state without training on winter driving in the mountains, drive without chains and often pass other vehicles by speeding in the left lane, losing control of large vehicles and shutting down traffic. In the worst circumstances, these crashes can result in the injury or death of those on the road. 
 
“Having safe and efficient highway corridors in the mountains and across the state is vital for our residents and our economy,” said Roberts. “I am just as tired as everyone I represent and everyone who uses I-70 to visit our mountain communities when unprepared commercial vehicles and irresponsible driving unnecessarily shut down our highways. My new bill, SB24-100, proposes common sense reforms that will reduce crashes and keep our highways open.” 

"I am excited to work alongside my Western Slope colleagues and our state agencies to address safety along I-70,” said Velasco. “Glenwood Canyon is the gateway to the west and we are the keepers of precious resources like the Colorado River and the White River National Forest. For us, open roads mean thriving communities and access to clean air and clean water. We all care about keeping roads open and safe, from our working families who commute every day to our business community. With this bill, we will continue to address long standing issues to keep workers and communities safe when they travel along the beautiful Glenwood Canyon."

“This bill is necessary to improve the safety for the motoring public and ensure the highway remains open for commerce,” said Will. 

SB24-100 would require commercial vehicles to carry chains when traveling on I-25 and any interstate, U.S. highway, and state highway west of I-25, including the mountainous sections of I-70. The bill would restrict commercial vehicles to the right lane on I-70 between Morrison and Glenwood, unless they are passing a vehicle going under the speed limit, and provide enhanced speed limit enforcement through the Glenwood Canyon. Finally, SB24-100 would require the Colorado Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of increasing the number of chain up stations and rest areas in the state to help ensure that commercial vehicle drivers have necessary equipment and needed rest before facing harsh winter weather. 

SB24-100 has been assigned to the Senate Transportation & Energy Committee.